Championship roundup: Sheffield United beaten while Bruce draws blank

Sheffield United were undone by a familiar face as Phil Jagielka proved instrumental in Stoke’s 3-1 home win over the Championship leaders. The 40-year-old, who made 309 appearances for the Blades across two spells, scored one and set up another, recording a goal and an assist in the same game for the first time in his career.

Jagielka first assumed the role of creator, teeing up centre-back partner Ben Wilmot to fire the hosts into an early lead. And, after the Blades levelled through Rhian Brewster’s first goal since January, it was the veteran defender who restored Stoke’s lead, scoring for the first time since April 2019. Substitute Liam Delap then opened his account for the club in added time as new manager Alex Neil earned his first home win.

Second-placed Norwich failed to take advantage, being beaten for the first time in 10 games as Preston came away from Carrow Road with a hard-fought 3-2 win. The visitors, who had only scored four goals all season before this fixture, almost doubled their tally in the space of 90 minutes after going behind to a well-taken early goal from Josh Sargent.

Emil Riis equalised midway through the first half with a powerful header and then put his side ahead early in the second period after a swift break. Substitute Gabriel Sara equalised for Norwich on 76 minutes with another neat finish but the Lilywhites had the final say soon afterwards as substitute Troy Parrott’s cross took a big deflection off Liam Gibbs to deceive Tim Krul.

Kenny McLean thought he had levelled in added time when he found the bottom corner with a low shot from distance but referee Dean Whitestone spotted an offence in the area and ruled it out.

Steve Bruce’s future as West Brom manager is hanging by a thread as